The One-year MA program
Nationalism Studies Program was established by Central European University with the aim of engaging students in an empirical and theoretical study of issues of nationalism, self-determination, problems of state-formation, ethnic conflict, minority protection and the related theme of globalization. Drawing upon the uniquely supranational milieu of Central European University, the program encourages a critical and non-sectarian study of nationalism.
The mission of the Nationalism Studies Program is to familiarize students with the interdisciplinary scholarly approaches in the study of nationalism. The aim of the program is to encourage intellectual innovation and inventive research inquiry which transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Our students have the in-depth scientific knowledge to approach topical issues in nationalism studies from a multi-disciplinary perspective and to critically examine problems in the scholarship which are too complex to be understood or handled within the framework of a single academic discipline.
By combining political sciences, social sciences and legal studies approaches, our curriculum centers on developing the conceptual knowledge and research methodologies which enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. Our graduates are competent scholars and professionals with the proper academic training to merge concepts, theories and methodologies of different disciplines and to put them to effective use in their work. The module structure is designed to make sure that all our students familiarize with all the relevant disciplines and methods in nationalism studies.
All our courses pay special attention to methodologies relevant for the particular topic. In addition to the theoretical and methodological training included both in disciplinary and interdisciplinary courses, we have an introductory course to the study of nationalism, special thesis research courses, and methods classes that offer a holistic overview of all research methodologies used in the field of nationalism studies.
All courses in the program are seminars. In the classroom, students are not only passive recipients of ready-made answers, but actively participate in the discussions and in their presentations, they critically engage and experiment with the presented theories and concepts through case studies.
Accreditation
The Master of Arts degree in Nationalism Studies is registered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York (US) for and on behalf of the New York State Education Department.
Central European University has an absolute charter from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York amd by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The Nationalism Studies Program is a postgraduate Master’s program registered in Austria and the US.
1-year MA Program Structure
Orientation The academic year is divided into an Orientation, two semesters and a Spring Session.
During the Orientation students will be given information about the resources available at the university and in Budapest, and will pass a course in basic computer skills. A readings course covering basic texts in theories of nationalism will also be offered in the. Semesters I and II include courses and seminars. In the Spring Session, students write their MA thesis.
Enrolled students must complete a minimum of 30 CEU credits (60 ECTS)
Students are required to take a final oral examination at the end of their studies.
To graduate students must successfully complete all mandatory courses, earn minimum 24 ECTS through mandatory elective classes in the Foundations of Nationalism Studies module, and the minimum of 20 ECTS through elective coursework that should include courses at least from two of the program’s four thematic modules. Cross-listed courses count as electives. The thesis is 8 ECTS.
The program is organized around three mandatory modules and four thematic modules.
The mandatory a mandatory elective modules are:
• Research Skills, Methods and Key Concepts
• Foundations of Nationalism Studies
• Thesis
The four thematic modules are:
• Sociological and Anthropological Approaches to the Study of Nationalism
• International Relations and Political Science Approaches to the Study of Nationalism
• Historical Contexts of Nationalism
• Legal Approaches to the Study of Nationalism
